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How to Have Greater Faith Be it unto me according to your Word "Luke 1:38." We know God honors faith, but many are not satisfied with their faith in the Lord and His promises, even as believers. We are tempted, tried, and tested in our faith. We would love to have the unreserved faith of Mary when she cast herself and her circumstances on the nature of who God is. Her faith was uninhibited even in a difficult situation, not knowing the future. Our pilgrimage on earth after we come to Christ is designed to build our faith in the Lord. Our faith should be so dynamic and real that the transition to being with the Lord is so natural and right. We have learned His ways progressively as we go through life. What are some practical ways we can develop faith to be the kind that is strong and vibrant: 1. Be Around People of Great Faith Circumstances, skepticism, and most of the bad things in the world diminish our perspective of God. We need to be around people of faith, but it is so difficult when these things always stare us in the face. We need to be around people of faith that can encourage and lead us to love God and His Word. Of course, a Bible-believing church is a prime place to find these sorts of people. If you need a mentor, try to find someone who "Walks the Walk" and has a consistently growing relationship with Him. Small groups in Sunday School or the home also strengthen us through interaction and ministry to one another. 2. Trust in God's Word and Incorporate it in Your Life Since God's Word is eternal and inspired by Him, it is only obvious that the more we get God's Word into our lives, the more we will grow in our faith in Christ (Matt. 24:35; I Pet. 1:23-25). We must go beyond just knowing about the Bible and where things are in it. We must personally receive God's Word and personalize its promises to us. Scripture memory is the best way I know to make this goal a reality in your life. It was on God's Word that Mary leaned for the fulfillment of her faith. 3. Trust in God's Progression to Our Faith Even When We Don't Understand His Ways Waiting for a full understanding of events will never increase your faith. Faith grows by leaps and bounds when you trust in God, not knowing the outcome of how He will accomplish His work in the way He did with Mary. When God reveals His Will, we can rest assured it was in accordance to His master plan when our faith becomes sight. Mary was blessed because she believed in God for how Christ would be born, not knowing how it would happen. 4. Be a Servant to People and Especially to God When we humbly serve the Lord and minister to others, it makes our faith genuine. Leading someone to faith in Christ makes my faith real to me. As I serve God, He releases His power in me and works through me. Nothing is like my ministry to Him and Him working through me for a faith-building experience. Mary viewed herself as God's Handmaiden. She did not accept this selection to be the mother of God's Son as something that gave her a position of authority over others. The announcement to her humbled her and caused her to be available to do whatever God wanted to do through her. Mary's kind of faith is the kind we need. Edified by others, based on God's Word, accepting the unseen and unbelievable, she humbled herself to serve Him. That kind of faith brings us close to God and helps us consistently walk with Him in this life. In Christ, --- Dan Nelson